Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland MP, and Minister for Families and Community Services Jenny Macklin today marked the third anniversary of 2009 Victorian Bushfires as an occasion for remembering those who died, those who were injured and those displaced by the disaster – as well as looking to keep building a brighter future for the communities still recovering.

“Some three years on, communities devastated by the events of Black Saturday continue in the process of recovery,” said Mr McClelland.

“To date, the Commonwealth has provided more than $468 million to help communities recover from the Victorian Bushfires.

“In November 2011 the Commonwealth agreed to extend Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements so that affected local councils will have until June 2012 to complete recovery and reconstruction activities under the NDRRA,” said Mr McClelland.

In October 2010, the Victorian Government appointed Mr Neil Comrie AO APM as the Bushfire Royal Commission Implementation Monitor (BRCIM) to review and monitor Victoria’s implementation of the recommendations.

The Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission made five recommendations that related either wholly or partly to the Commonwealth and we have supported each of these.

Two of the five recommendations, relating to the use of Commonwealth aerial resources that are suitable for fire-fighting being used on days of high fire risk and providing guidance to councils on bushfire management and environment protection, have already been implemented.

The other three involve ongoing work and relate to:

• Developing a national bushfire awareness campaign – the Commonwealth is working with states to develop revised National Fire Danger Rating Arrangements to support improved communication with the community about the risk they face from bushfires. This is a significant undertaking that will inform a national bushfire awareness campaign when completed.
• Implementing various elements of the National Action Plan to reduce Bushfire Arson in Australia. The Commonwealth has undertaken and supported a number of national initiatives aimed at reducing bushfire arson, including developing a new national Bushfire Arson Community Awareness website, launched in December 2011; the launch of The National Arson Notification Capability in Sept 2011; and continued support to the Arson Investigation Course.
• and establishing a national centre for bushfire research – the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) was allocated $15 million over three years (2010-11 to 2012-13) for specific research tasks arising from the 2009 Victorian bushfires including understanding fire risk, communicating risk and managing the threat.

The Australian Government is providing the BRCIM with an update on progress of recommendations of relevance to the Commonwealth. The final report is due to be tabled in the Victorian Parliament in July 2012.

“Today is a day of sad reflection for those still coming to terms with what happened in Victoria three years ago,” said Ms Macklin. “Some things can never be recovered from.

“It’s also a day to reassure those people and those communities who are still recovering that the Australian Government is there to help them in this process.

“We will continue to work with the Victorian Government and affected local governments to ensure this process of supported recovery continues.”

Media contact: Simon Ferguson – 02 6277 7667

Minister for Human Services
The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP

The Gillard Government is already helping hundreds of people affected by floods in Queensland and New South Wales, with $1.1 million in payments made within 12 hours of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) being activated.

Minister for Emergency Management Robert McClelland and Minister for Human Services Brendan O’Connor toured some of the affected communities yesterday, meeting emergency workers, community leaders and residents in Moree, Charleville and Roma.

The Government activated the AGDRP at 1.30pm yesterday, and by midnight, the Government had granted 345 claims in Queensland and 509 claims in New South Wales, worth a total of $1.131 million.

It is the fastest turnaround of disaster payments in Australian history.

“While the floodwaters are settling in some places, the flooding is not over as waters are still moving through north-west New South Wales,” Mr McClelland said.

“In communities like Roma, hundreds of homes and businesses have been flooded and residents are beginning their third clean-up in consecutive years. We were told about the devastation in Mitchell from people who had seen it first-hand.

“The Gillard Government is working shoulder-to-shoulder with local and state government to help clean up the damage and get people back into their homes and workplaces as quickly as possible.”

Mr O’Connor said the payments of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for each eligible child began flowing into bank accounts this morning.

“In the past, it has taken a day or more to begin making payments,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We have learnt from the experiences of last summer’s natural disasters and the Government has been working hard behind the scenes to streamline processes to speed up the delivery of these emergency payments.

“As a result, more than 850 claims were granted on the day the payment was announced.

“This is a terrific effort that will be greatly appreciated by those receiving their assistance money today.”

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment helps people affected by disasters with their immediate recovery needs, and has been activated for residents in Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo Local Government Areas in Queensland and the Gwydir, Moree, and Narrabri Local Government Areas in NSW.

The payment is available to residents in these areas:

• who have been injured as a direct result of the floodwaters; or
• whose home has been significantly damaged or destroyed; or
• who were stranded in their home or unable to gain access to their home for at least 24 hours; or
• whose home was without electricity, water, gas, sewage services or another essential service for a continuous period of 48 hours.

Immediate family members of those who have died as a direct result of the disaster are also eligible for this payment.

Mr O’Connor encouraged affected residents to lodge a claim for assistance. “Department staff have a presence in flood-affected communities and can help people to lodge claims, and Australian Government mobile offices have been redeployed to south-western Queensland to assist in the recovery efforts,” he said.

Residents with internet access can lodge their claim online through the Human Services website (www.humanservices.gov.au).

Alternatively, claims can be made by calling 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days per week, or completed claim forms can be lodged in person at a Department of Human Services service centre.

Media contact: Simon Ferguson (McClelland)
Maria Hawthorne (O’Connor)

Minister for Emergency Management
The Hon. Robert McClelland MP

Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that clean-up and recovery grants of up to $25,000 will be provided to communities in Queensland inundated by recent floods.

Primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the local government areas (LGAs) of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo will be eligible for the grants of up to $25,000.

This is in addition to emergency assistance provided to families and individuals in Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Central Highlands, Murweh, Maranoa Shires, previously announced by the Prime Minister.

The grants and other emergency assistance will be jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

In addition to this NDRRA assistance, the Prime Minister yesterday announced that the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1000 per adult and $400 per child has been made available through Centrelink to eligible people who have been impacted by flooding in disaster declared areas.

In Queensland, these areas include the shires of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that many flood affected regions have only partially recovered from the previous flood events of 2011 and 2010, and that prompt financial assistance is required to help communities get back on their feet.

The grants also recognise the important role that small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits play in delivering services and supporting community recovery following a disaster.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Australian Government would provide $2 million to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal, matching the state government’s contribution.

The Australian Government is committed to assisting the people of Queensland to get back on their feet. The Government stood by Queenslanders in their efforts to respond to last summer’s devastating events, and it will do so again.

The Australian Government continues to work closely with the Queensland Government to deliver assistance to flood affected communities.

More information about disaster grants and assistance, including advice on how to apply, is available from the Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Media contacts:
Prime Minister’s Press Office: (02) 6277 7744
Minister McClelland’s Office: Simon Ferguson – (02) 6277 7667

“These recent floods have broken records, left thousands isolated and have caused mass evacuations in some towns,” said Mr McClelland.

“The Australian Government is working closely with the Queensland and NSW Governments in this unfolding flood situation, to make sure affected communities get any necessary Commonwealth assistance immediately.

“The Commonwealth today activated direct payments of additional disaster assistance for communities in Queensland and Northern NSW hit by flooding as a result of recent heavy rainfall,” said Mr McClelland.

“The one-off Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be provided to eligible people adversely affected by the continuing heavy rains and flooding that have hit inland Queensland and northern NSW in the past week.”

“AGDRP will be made available through Centrelink to eligible people who have been impacted by flooding in disaster declared areas,” said Mr O’Connor.

“In Queensland these areas include the shires of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo. This payment is also available to people in Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir in New South Wales.”

Mr McClelland and Mr O’Connor today visited Moree, NSW, and Charleville and Roma, Queensland, to see for themselves how communities are coping with the latest floods.

“The Commonwealth is here to help,” said Mr McClelland.

“That’s why AGDRP financial assistance will be provided to eligible people who were seriously injured or whose principal place of residence was destroyed or significantly damaged by the storms.”

“Those who are eligible will receive a one-off payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for each child to help them recover,” said Mr O’Connor.

“With families unable to return to their homes, and thousands more with major damage to their homes, this swift and direct payment will go some way to helping people get on with the job of cleaning up and restoring their homes,” said Mr O’Connor.

“This payment is over and above the support being provided by the Commonwealth Government to the Queensland and NSW Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) that apply to 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Queensland and 17 LGAs in NSW,” said Mr McClelland.

NDRRA assistance includes:

• Restoration of essential public assets for local councils and clean-up costs.
• Certain Counter Disaster Operations.

“Eight Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters are supporting the response to flooding in the Roma and St George areas, resupplying those isolated and evacuating those who need it. This support is anticipated to continue until Wednesday 8 February 2012.

“All of this demonstrates Government’s commitment to supporting families, councils and communities in Queensland and NSW through the recovery process,” said Mr McClelland.

Further information about disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au

Media contacts:
Simon Ferguson (McClelland) – (02) 6277 7667
Maria Hawthorne (O’Connor)

Minister for Emergency Management
The Hon. Robert McClelland MP

The Australian Government today activated direct payments of additional disaster assistance for communities in Queensland and Northern NSW hit by flooding as a result of recent heavy rainfall.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1000 per adult and $400 per child will be made available through Centrelink to people who have been impacted by flooding in disaster declared areas.

In Queensland, these areas include the shires of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo. This payment is also available to people in Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir in New South Wales.

The flooding in these communities has caused considerable disruption, including isolation and the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes.

The AGDRP is a one-off payment designed as a quick cash injection to help people with their immediate recovery needs.

Ex-gratia payments of the same amount will also be available to New Zealand Special Category Visa Holders residing in these areas.

The AGDRP will provide financial assistance to eligible people:

• whose residence has been significantly damaged;
• who were stranded within their home or unable to gain access to their residence for at least 24 hours; or
• whose principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage or another essential service for at least 48 hours.

The assistance will be delivered by Centrelink.

Many people in affected areas have spent considerable time away from their homes. This payment will go some way to helping them get back on their feet in the immediate aftermath of these floods.

The Australian Government is continuing to closely monitor the flood situation throughout other areas of Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

The Government is already providing significant assistance to flood-affected areas of Queensland and Northern NSW and will respond with further assistance as required.

Today’s announcement is over and above the support already being provided by the Australian Government in areas affected by flooding throughout Queensland and northern NSW. This includes the joint Commonwealth and State Government assistance being provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

In Queensland this includes:

• Counter Disaster Operations for the local government areas of Balonne, Burke, Carpentaria, Central Highlands, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, Longreach, Maranoa, McKinlay, Murweh and Richmond

• Restoration or Replacement of Essential Public Assets for the local government areas of Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Isaac, Longreach, Maranoa, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Murweh, Quilpie and Winton
• Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance (PHD) for the local government areas of Balonne, Central Highlands, Maranoa and Murweh

In NSW the assistance for all declared local government areas includes:

• Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance
• Primary Producers Loans
• Primary Producers Transport Subsidies
• Small Businesses loans
• Assistance for Councils and Trustees of Parks and Reserves
• Loans and grants to Churches, Voluntary Non-profit Organisations and Sporting Clubs.

The AGDRP and the NZ ex-gratia payment can be claimed:

• on line at www.humanservices.gov.au;
• by calling the Department of Humans Services on 180 22 66; or
• complete, sign and take your claim form to your nearest Department of Human Services (Centrelink or Medicare) Service Centre or Agent; or post to:
  Queensland / NSW Floods – January 2012 Processing Centre,
  Reply Paid 7815, Canberra BC, ACT 2610.

For more information on disaster assistance see www.disasterassist.gov.au

PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS OFFICE (02) 6277 7744
MINISTER MCCLELLAND’S OFFICE 0427 934 112

Minister for Emergency Management
The Hon. Robert McClelland MP

The Australian Government this morning boosted its assistance to flood-affected Australia, providing a RAAF Hercules C-130 to conduct an aero-medical evacuation of low-dependency patients from St George Hospital in Western Queensland to hospitals in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The C-130 Hercules joins the eight Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters already assisting in the flood relief efforts in South East Queensland.

The situation in the area of St George deteriorated yesterday and overnight resulting in the need to evacuate patients from the St George Base Hospital to the Gold Coast.

The Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft was on stand-by for such an emergency and will assist with the transport of these patients quickly and effectively to the Gold Coast. The Queensland authorities requested this assistance for the welfare of these patients and the Commonwealth immediately responded.

The Commonwealth continues to cooperate closely with the Queensland and NSW Governments in this unfolding flood situation, standing ready to help wherever we are called.

Four Black Hawk and four Kiowa helicopters, based at Oakey, continue to assist with search, evacuation and the resupply of people affected by the flood in the area of Roma, St George and Dirranbandi, South East Queensland.

Overnight the focus of the helicopters has been St George and Charleville as the floodwaters continue. The helicopters have winched people to safety in the area of St George and provided much needed food, bedding and medical supplies, as well as other equipment such as generators, to those affected by the flooding.

Emergency Management Australia has liaison officers in flood-affected regions to ensure that requests for any further assistance can be actioned immediately.

The Commonwealth continues to work with the Queensland and NSW Governments to provide financial assistance to local communities affected by recent heavy rains and flooding through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

More information on this financial assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au

PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS OFFICE (02) 6277 7744
MINISTER MCCLELLAND’S MEDIA CONTACT 0427 934 112

Mr McClelland said COMDISPLAN has been activated following a request from the Queensland Government for Australian Government support.

“The Australian Government is well placed to respond to a request for assistance from the Queensland Government as they grapple with unfolding flood events,” said Mr McClelland.

“The Queensland Government has requested two helicopters to help evacuate isolated residents and fly supplies into flood-bound Roma, St George and Dirranbandi.

“The Australian Government has provided two Army helicopters to do just that.

“Severe weather is causing persistent heavy rain across south east Queensland and Northern NSW.  Floodwaters have entered Roma and Mitchell, and people have had to be evacuated in both towns.

“Challenges of this scale often overwhelm state and territory resources, and COMDISPLAN provides a mechanism for the Australian Government to step in and help,” Mr McClelland said.

“For example the Australian Government yesterday responded to requests by the NSW Government by flying supplies including emergency bedding into Moree on an RAAF C-130 Hercules.”

Mr McClelland urged anyone affected by the severe weather or flooding to remain calm, patient and listen to the advice and direction of emergency management authorities.

“People under evacuation orders and flood evacuation warnings should stay in contact with emergency management authorities and know where their nearest evacuation centre is,” Mr McClelland said.

Media contact:
Simon Ferguson – (02) 6277 7667

“People living in the local government areas of Broome, Leonora, Meekatharra, Port Headland, Sandstone, Upper Gascoyne and Wiluna will be provided assistance jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Government, through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA),” Mr McClelland said.

“A range of disaster assistance is available in the affected areas to support councils, families, local businesses and farmers impacted by the cyclone,” Mr McClelland said.

Individuals suffering from personal hardship as a result of the cyclone may be eligible for emergency assistance and should contact the Western Australian Department of Child Protection by phone on 1800 032 965 to find out what may be available.

Mr McClelland said that assistance is also available for restoring damaged public assets as well as certain counter disaster operations undertaken by local councils.

“This assistance demonstrates the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments’ commitment to helping disaster affected communities with their recovery.”

“Damage assessments are continuing and if it is identified that other areas have suffered damage from this event, assistance may be extended to cover those areas as well.

“The Commonwealth Government will continue to work closely with the WA Government to ensure affected communities have the support they need.”

For more information on disaster assistance visit www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Media contact:
Simon Ferguson – (02) 6277 7667

In Wellington for the Australia-New Zealand Australian High Commission’s Trans Tasman Celebration 2012, Mr McClelland will also meet with emergency management counterparts to discuss recovery and reconstruction in Christchurch and foster an even closer emergency management relationship.

“Australia has a long, strong and famous friendship with New Zealand, which has served us both well through a series of national emergencies in recent times,” said Mr McClelland.

“The recent announcement by both our Prime Ministers formalising New Zealand’s full membership on the Australia’s National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) will further strengthen this lasting bond.

“Australia and New Zealand have stood by each other through natural disasters many times.

“In the past three years alone we have seen Australia providing assistance to New Zealand in response to the Pike River Mine Disaster and the Canterbury Earthquake.

“New Zealand in turn has been there for Australia in the response to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires and the 2011 Queensland floods.”

Mr McClelland will meet with New Zealand’s Minister for Civil Defence, Chris Tremain, to discuss the New Zealand–Australia Framework for Crisis Management Cooperation and the new expanded role that New Zealand will play as a member of the NEMC.

“This is a great opportunity to discuss mutual deployments to regional disasters and ways we can better share information and resources during emergencies,” said Mr McClelland.

Media contact:
Simon Ferguson- (02) 6277 7667

Ms Bligh said the Burke, Central Highlands, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, Murweh, Richmond, Carpentaria, Quilpie, McKinlay and Mount Isa councils could now access assistance to cover the cost of counter disaster operations and to restore damaged public assets.

Mr McClelland said: Both the Commonwealth and Queensland governments are committed to assisting individuals, families and communities affected by disaster events.

These storms impacted a widespread area across the state and have caused damage to property and community infrastructure.

This assistance is a demonstration of the Commonwealth and Queensland Government commitment to supporting councils and communities through the recovery process.

Mr Roberts said: These councils will now be able to apply for funding from the State and Federal Governments to not only cover the cost of repairs but also any costs associated with managing counter disaster operations.

Mr Roberts said members of the public experiencing personal hardship due to flooding can contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.

Media contacts:
Minister McClelland – Simon Ferguson – 02 6277 7667
Queensland Premier’s office – (07) 3224 4500
Minister Roberts – Adam Shortman – (07) 3239 0199